Why Are Supplements Causing Failed Drug Tests?
David Cornwell Theory - Some companies are eager to grab a share of that market and do so by spiking muscle-building products with ingredients that will work exceptionally well. “They put tainted products knowingly on the shelves to get the user to come back to that product, ” said David Cornwell, an attorney who represented Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman in his appeal of a nandrolone positive in 2006.
Howard Jacobs Theory - The raw materials, sometimes coming from China, may be contaminated with steroids or pro-hormones to start. Or cross-contamination occurs from other products. Attorney Howard Jacobs has brought a handful of suits against supplement companies on behalf of athletes. He said he found that “most are pretty reluctant to divulgue where they’re getting their raw materials. But a large percentage … come from China.” Editors Note: A program called “Informed Choice” has been developed which tests supplements to ensure that they are free of hormonal contaminants that may result in a positive drug test. Click HERE to read more on it.
Scott Welch Theory - I agree with Howard and David’s explanations but I think there’s also third situation at play. If you look closely, most of the positive drug tests have been for Nandrolone Metabolites. These metabolites have anabolic properties and are produced by taking the steroids Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin, Equipoise, Dynabolon, or Laurabolin. Unfortunately or fortunately (depends how you look at it) there’s a class of supplements called “nandrolone pro-hormones” which convert into Nandrolone Metabolites once they’re processed by your liver. Not all of these “pro-hormones” themselves are on the NFL, IOC, NHL, NBA, NCAA banned lists and many are sold over the counter as dietary supplements in the U.S. However, it’s very important to know that these supplements can raise nandrolone levels high enough to fail a drug test (because the urine test is ultra sensitive) but not high enough to get the performance-enhancing effects some pro athletes need to compete. So in the event that a steroid using athlete is tested and fails, their coaches or the athletes themselves have a list of legal supplements that are nandrolone “pro hormones” which they bring forward in their defense to help get the athlete off the charges. They claim that they “unknowingly” took a steroid! I’m not saying that this is always the case but it does happen.
SOURCE: SignOnSanDiego.com
Written by Scott Welch, Supplement Genius · Filed Under Supplement Law
Tagged: attorney, Chargers, David Cornwell, Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin, Dynabolon, Equipoise, Howard Jacobs, informed choice, Laurabolin, Nandrolone, Scott Welch, Shawne Merriman
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